news 22 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Martha Karua Recounts 'Forceful Phone Snatching' During Entebbe Airport Deportation
Kenyan politician Martha Karua described a distressing ordeal at Entebbe International Airport where her phones were forcibly taken by immigration officials before she was denied entry and deported. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/-they-snatched-my-phones-by-force-martha-karua-recounts-entebbe-airport-deportation-drama-5505072
Prominent Kenyan politician and Senior Counsel Martha Karua has detailed a harrowing experience at Entebbe International Airport, where she was denied entry into Uganda and subsequently deported.
Karua, who arrived on a Kenya Airways flight, stated that an immigration officer approached her shortly after arrival, informing her of a “note” on her. She was then escorted to an immigration office where officials informed her that she could not enter the country.
During the encounter, Karua recounted, “two of his juniors had already snatched my phones by force. They did not even ask me.” She added that the officials confiscated and switched off her mobile devices, prompting her to refuse their return, fearing tampering. She was held in a transit area until her return flight to Nairobi.
According to Karua, she was only presented with a letter declaring her persona non grata while already seated on the aircraft, preparing for departure.
The deportation has drawn sharp criticism from legal bodies, including the Uganda Law Society (ULS). The ULS emphasized that Karua was traveling as a fully accredited legal professional with a valid Special Practising Certificate issued by the Uganda Law Council, intended to attend a bail application ruling for Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Other members of the Kenyan legal delegation, including the Law Society of Kenya President, were reportedly allowed entry without incident. At the time of reporting, Ugandan authorities had not issued a formal statement explaining the grounds for Karua’s deportation.
This incident has raised concerns about the free movement of persons and professionals within the East African Community. Karua was in Uganda to observe the bail hearing of Lukwago, who faces charges of misprision of treason and was recently arrested from his home.